City News & Public Notices

Disaster Day in Nelson on May 5th, 2018

Disaster will strike Nelson’s Hall Street on May 5th when local agencies come together to promote National Emergency Preparedness Week by hosting Disaster Day 2018. The event is meant to promote personal, family and community emergency preparedness, as well as Fire Smart Awareness. It will showcase how local agencies work together in our community to prepare for and respond to emergencies.

“Disaster Day is an interactive event for the whole family to learn how to be prepared,” says Len MacCharles, Fire Chief for the City of Nelson. “It can help our residents and our community be better prepared for a large emergency.” “Don’t wait until disaster strikes – prepare now!”

The Nelson Emergency Alert System will be launched at Disaster Day 2018 with volunteers there to help the public sign up. The new Nelson Emergency Alert System will send out alerts via text, voice or email to all those signed up to keep them apprised of developing emergencies and evacuations. Chief MacCharles says that, “The Nelson Emergency Alert System is new and an important part of community emergency preparedness. It is intended to provide timely emergency information to those who live, visit or work in Nelson. The RDCK has an RDCK-wide Emergency Alert System and we recommend Nelson residents and visitors sign up for both, but certainly the Nelson Emergency Alert System if they want Nelson specific emergency information.”

All those who sign up on May 5th and throughout Emergency Preparedness Week (May 6 – 12) will be entered in a draw to win one of three 72 Hour Emergency Kits (valued at $125 each). Sign-up will be available online at nelson.ca after May 5th.

Everyone is invited to come down to meet agency representatives and participate in the fun! There’ll be kid’s activities, a scavenger hunt, fire trucks, a front-end loader, an ambulance, hazmat demonstrations, a sprinkler protection unit, chances to win free 72 HR EMERGENCY KITS, giveaways, free hot dogs and much more.

Sparky the Dog and Smoky the Bear will be on site – come by and give them a high-five or take part in the “Be Prepared” Scavenger Hunt for a chance to win a Fire Hall tour and a ride in a Fire Truck! It’s sure to be an educational and fun day the whole family will enjoy!

Event Participants:

Nelson Fire & Rescue Services

Nelson Police Department

RDCK Emergency Services

RDCK Fire Services

Red Cross / ESS

Salvation Army

Interior Health Authority

BC Wildfire Management Branch

Kootenay Insurance Services

RHC Insurance

BC Emergency Health Services

RCMP

EMBC

Nelson Hydro

Nelson Public Works

Nelson Transit

Nelson SAR

FireSmart

Ministry of Environment Emergency Response

Juice FM

Nelson Star

SPCA

Event Details:

Located on Hall Street Plaza and the 500 Block of Hall Street between Victoria and Vernon Streets.